Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Downtown Oakland Neighborhood of Oakland, CA from $700 (112 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Downtown Oakland area of Oakland.

property at 1234 Union St

$900

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$900
Total Monthly Price
$900

1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Townhome for Rent

Available Now

1234 Union St

OaklandCA94607
property at 684 Apgar St

$1,325 - $1,650

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,325 - $1,650
Total Monthly Price
$1,325 - $1,650

1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Home for Rent

Available Now

684 Apgar St

OaklandCA94609

What Does “Rent Burdened” Mean? How Much Rent Is Too Much

Learn the official definition (spending 30% or more of your gross income on housing) and how to calculate your exact rent-to-income ratio. This guide offers expert tips on factoring in total housing costs (including utilities and fees) and budgeting accurately to avoid unnecessary financial strain.

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535 30th St
$1,500 - $1,975
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,500 - $1,975
Total Monthly Price
$1,500 - $1,975
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartment Available Now

535 30th St

535 30th StOakland, CA 94609
Affordability
  • Smoke Free

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Thinking about getting a co-signer for your rental application? We break down what a co-signer is, the potential benefits, and the serious risks for both parties. Find out if it's the right choice for you.

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668 28th St
1 to 7 Bedroom Apartments

668 28th St

668 28th StOakland, CA 94609
Student Housing
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Artthaus SIX
Studio Apartments

Artthaus SIX

825 6th AveOakland, CA 94606
Corporate Housing
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Hillcastle Apartments
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

Hillcastle Apartments

1431 Jackson StOakland, CA 94612
  • Utilities Included
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715 Peralta St
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

715 Peralta St

715 Peralta StOakland, CA 94607
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ArtHaus Northgate
Studio Apartments

ArtHaus Northgate

2618 Martin Luther King Jr WayOakland, CA 94612
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ArtHaus Mandela
Studio Apartments

ArtHaus Mandela

1705 Mandela PkyOakland, CA 94607
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ArtHaus Linden
Studio Apartments

ArtHaus Linden

1054 18th StOakland, CA 94607
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3301 Telegraph Ave.
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

3301 Telegraph Ave.

3301 Telegraph AveOakland, CA 94609

Smart Renter's Guide: Calculating Affordable Rent & Housing Costs

Wondering how to determine your rental budget? This comprehensive guide covers everything from the 30% rule to hidden fees and effective budgeting strategies.

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Downtown Oakland, Oakland, CA Local Guide

Cheapest Available Downtown Oakland Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in the Downtown Oakland area of San Francisco, CA is a Studio unit found at Claridge Hotel LP. priced from $895. La Peralta has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $1,245. Here are the most affordable Downtown Oakland apartments for rent in San Francisco, CA:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Claridge Hotel LP.SROStudio,$895
La PeraltaSRO with BathStudio,1BA$1,245
ArtHaus NorthgateFloor Plan A Studio 1BAStudio,1BA$1,250
ArtHaus MandelaFloor Plan D Studio 1BAStudio,1BA$1,284
ArtHaus LindenFloor Plan D Studio 1BAStudio,1BA$1,328
Nook on ValdezFLOOR PLAN GStudio,1BA$1,350
Oak VillageStudioStudio,1BA$1,358
ArtHaus BrushFloor Plan C Studio 1BAStudio,1BA$1,380
ArtHaus 820Floor Plan A Studio 1BAStudio,1BA$1,402
Raymond Investments LLC.StudioStudio,1BA$1,445

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown Oakland, CA

As of April 18, 2026 the best value apartment in the Downtown Oakland area is the $2.29 price per square foot D1 Model at Mariposa in the in the Harrison Street neighborhood starting from $5,495. The second greatest value Downtown Oakland apartment is the Loft C Model at 5th Street Lofts starting at $2,765 with a $2.05 price per square foot in the West Oakland neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Downtown Oakland apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
MariposaD13BR,2BA$2.29
5th Street LoftsLoft CStudio ,1BA$2.05
817 Foothill Blvd, Unit 817 foothill Blvd Oakland CA 9466817 Foothill Blvd2BR,1BA$2.15
731 Willow St731 Willow St4BR,2BA$2.40
1914 6th Ave, Unit #21914 6th Ave2BR,1BA$2.08
Telegraph Loftsslo f2Studio ,1BA$2.15
3834 Market St3834 Market St3BR,1.5BA$2.18
Fountainbleau Apartments1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$2.41
Alice Court1 Bedroom/ 1 Bath1BR,1BA$2.33
The Chase Apartment Homes1 Bed 1 Bath1BR,1BA$2.35

10 Hidden Costs of Renting You Should Budget for Before Signing a Lease

Avoid financial stress when renting. Learn about the 10 most common hidden costs—from pet fees to utilities—you must budget for before you sign a lease.

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Don't Settle: How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money

Discover the insider tips from an attorney and real estate agent on how to negotiate your next apartment lease. Find out what's on the table and what's not, so you can save money and get the best terms possible.

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The Ultimate Long-Distance Moving Checklist: Tips from a Real Estate Pro

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Cash or credit? Understanding the Importance of Credit Score in Real Estate and Renting

Discover how your credit score impacts your ability to lease or buy a home. Learn how credit scores are determined, how to check yours, and strategies to improve it for real estate success.

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Quick Rent Budget Calculator

How much rent can you afford?

The common "Rule of Thumb" is that rent should be no more than 30% of your income. How much is that? Enter your monthly income and click "Calculate My Budget" to find out.

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Pet Friendly Lifestyle
Downtown Oakland, Oakland, CA

Ranked #2

Among cities in California for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities.

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

4.0
Pet Friendly

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Best Local Schools in
Downtown Oakland, Oakland, CA

School data provided by Great Schools

Lifestyle Ratings

ApartmentHomeLiving brings you our detailed rental search system called 'Lifestyle ratings', composed of neighborhoods, cities and towns, and rental properties across California, including Oakland. LifeStyle Ratings are a useful tool for comparing and sorting apartments and neighborhoods when choosing your rental home. This takes in many factors including searching for the best amenities, and easy access to the parks, pet-friendly features, family-friendly amenities, proximity to transit, and how walkable or bikeable each community and area is. Find Lifestyle Search in the filter options (above). Happy Searching!

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Downtown Oakland Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Downtown Oakland?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Downtown Oakland is under $1,445.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Downtown Oakland?

The cheapest apartment in Downtown Oakland is Oak Village which is listed at $1,595, while the average apartment in Downtown Oakland costs $3,888.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Downtown Oakland?

Student, low-income, and by-the-bed apartments are typically the cheapest rentals in most cities, though they require qualifying criteria to rent. There are 57 regular apartments in Downtown Oakland that we think qualify as ‘cheap apartments’ that do not have special requirements to apply to rent.

How do the prices of cheap apartments compare to the average apartment in Downtown Oakland?

Cheap apartments in Downtown Oakland have an average cost of $392 which is $3,496 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Downtown Oakland.

Expert Rental Resources

The rental experts at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provide you with top advice, tools, and tips for understanding the leasing process and finding the perfect rental. Here are a few helpful rental and leasing articles from our experts to guide you on your search.

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